Strolls Around Athens

 These are some things that I saw while I was taking a break from work. 

 

I always smile when I see these colorful crosswalks. The Rainbow Crosswalks were installed in 2022. They are located at the intersection of College Avenue and  Clayton Street

 

When I was a kid in the 1970s there was a movie theater behind the Georgia Theatre. I have fond memories of watching movies on Saturday afternoons here. It is cool that the owners of the Georgia Theatre still have the sign for the Classic Theater screen on the side of their building.

 

Public art is everywhere in Athens. This fire hydrant is evidence of this.

 

 Come take a stroll in our town. There is something for everyone to see here in Athens.

Athens Music Walk of Fame - Part 2

The First 10 inductees into the Athens Music Walk of Fame were:

• The B-52s, 
• Drive-By Truckers, 
• Danger Mouse (Brian Joseph Burton)
• The Elephant 6 Recording Company, 
• Hall Johnson, 
• Neal Pattman, 
• Pylon, 
• R.E.M.,  
• Vic Chesnutt,  
• Widespread Panic.  
  

 

 

 

 

 

Athens Masked Up 1: Godwin

 Located in front of the UGA Science Library is a statue called "Creationism" (1997) better known as Godwin.

Oconee Hill Cemetery Water Trough

Located at 297 Cemetery St, across from Sanford Stadium

 

 

 Inscription  reads: "A Righteous Man Regardeth the Life of His Beast"

Located at the beginning of the West Hill Section

 

Georgia Theatre - Looking Forward to Live Music

 Georgia Theatre

Oconee Hill Cemetery - World War I Monument

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Located at Oconee Hill Cemetery, this monument was dedicated on May 30, 1925.

Inscription reads:   

“That the memory of the men of Clarke County who gave their lives in the World War in defense of their country and to perpetuate its ideals shall live as an inspiration to courage and patriotism. 1914 - 1918.

Chester P. Adair
Harry Allgood
Ed H. Bugg
Howell B. Cobb
William Randolph Epps
Allen R. Fleming
Robert T. Griffith Lieut.
Audley W. Harbin
Troy Harbin
Fred G. Hodgson, Col.
E. Hammond Johnson, Major 
James Loehr
Hal B. McWhorter
H.L. Jewett Williams, Capt.
Arthur K. Williams
Frank L. Walker


Erected by the Auxiliary of the Allen R. Fleming Post 20, American Legion, Athens Georgia, May 30, 1925”

A few notes about the men listed:

Private Chester P. Adair died of pneumonia in Toule, France on September 14, 1918. His body was returned to Athens in 1921. He is buried in Oconee Hills.

Private Harry Allgood was killed in action on July 25, 1918.

Corporal Ed H. Bugg was killed in action in the Battle of Argonne on November 2, 1918.

Howell B. Cobb died of pneumonia at Camp Forrest in Chickamagua on March 7, 1918. He enlisted in January 1918. His marker reads: "First Athens Boy Giving Life in the World War."

 William Randolph Epps was a secretary with the YMCA at Camp McClellan in Alabama.  He died of pneumonia on January 13, 1919.

Allen R. Fleming died on March 19, 1918 when his ship, the USS Manley rolled against the British cruiser HMS Montague. This caused the detonation of Manley's depth charges. 34 men were killed in the explosion. Fleming's body was never recovered. American Legion Post 20 (Athens) is named in his honor.

Robert T. Griffith died on May 9,1918 in Amesbury, Wiltshire England. He a member of the 188th Aero Squadron and was killed in a training accident.

Audley Harbin died on September 27, 1918 of wounds received in the Argonne Forest. He was the brother of Troy Harbin

Troy Harbin died on October 17, 1918 of pneumonia at Camp Hicks, TX.  He was the brother of Audley Harbin. Their father took his own life on August 3, 1922

Colonel Fred Hodgson died on August 5, 1917. West Point Class of 1881. Retired, Oct. 23, 1913 He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

E. Hammond Johnson died on May 18, 1919 from wounds received at St. Mihiel Salient.

Corporal James Loehr died on March 17, 1918 in Epinal, Lorraine France of meningitis. 

Hal B. McWhorter died on October 12, 1918.  He was killed in action in the Argonne Forest.

Captain Henry Lee Jewett Williams  died on June 9, 1918. He was an Episcopal minister. Captain Williams was killed by a German sharpshooter while on observation tour near Albert, France. Prior to the war Captain Williams was the Chair of Greek Language at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Arthur Williams died on January 24, 1918 of pneumonia in Commercy, France. He was a native of Cleveland,GA.

Private Frank L. Walker died on October 9, 1918 of pneumonia at LeMans, France. He was attached to the Motor Truck Company No. 496 of the 421st Motor Supply Train in France.


Please let me know if any of the information I have found is incorrect or if you know any additional information.







 

University of Georgia - Hardman Hall

Located at 201 D.W. Brooks Drive on the campus of the University of Georgia, Hardman Hall was completed in 1918 named after Lamartine G. Hardman who was Governor of Georgia from 1927-1931.  Today Hardman Hall is home to the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.

 

Lost Athens

Allen's (1955-2004) Normaltown

1950's to 2011. Now home to Health Science Campus

Restaurant in Normal Town.  Closed in mid 2000's

Bus Stop in Athens used to be downtown. Now located 6 miles from downtown.

Beautiful mural on the side of the Georgia Theatre. It was painted over long ago.

Elijah Clarke

Elijah Clarke Monument - Broad Street

Erected in 1904 by the Daughters of the American Revolution

The Murmur Trestle Today

Known locally as the Murmur Trestle or the REM Trestle, this trestle was built in 1883 by the Georgia Railroad. It was part of an extension into downtown Athens, GA.  The trestle crossed Trail Creek.  

In 1983 REM featured the trestle on their album Murmur.  When the county tried to demolish the trestle in 2000 REM fans convinced the county to "save the trestle."  

Best View is at the Dudley Park parking lot located on Poplar Street (Behind Mama's Boy Restaurant) You can walk up Popular Street for a great view.

President's Club Garden - University of Georgia

Located behind on North Campus just behind Old College Building

Veterans Memorial Plaza

Veterans Memorial Plaza located on the east side of the Clarke County Courthouse on Washington Street

Historic Athletic Grounds

Located at the corner of Baxter and Lumpkin in front of the Tate Center Parking deck.  This monuments commemorates Sanford Field, site of both baseball and football games. Named for S. V. Sanford, Sanford Field was build in 1911.  It was later replaced in 1929 by Sanford Stadium which has undergone many renovations over the years.

Encouragement where you least expect it

Located at the crosswalk in front of the Chicopee Complex (UGA)

1180 East Broad Street

Along the Heritage Trail

The Beginning of the Heritage Trail 

North Oconee River Greenway and Heritage Trail

1180 E. Broad St., Athens, GA 30601